Inflatable life-rafts



May 15, 1962 J. SILVERSTONE 3,034,154

INFLATABLE LIFE-RAFTS Filed Nov. 10, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Toicp S llversfang I INVENTOR ATTORNEY y 1962 J. SILVERSTCQJNE 3,034,154

INFLATABLE LIFE-RAFTS Filed Nov. 10, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY y 15, 1962 J. SILVERSTONE 3,034,154

INFLATABLE LIFE-RAFTS Filed Nov. 10, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 35 1 S lvcrsrona INVENTOR Aim ATTORNEY May 15, 1962 J. SILVERSTONE Y INFLATABLE LIFE-RAFTS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 10, 1958 FIG. 72.-

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INVE NTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent i S Joseph Silverstone, Mellor Hall, Marple Bridge, Marple, England Filed Nov. 10, 1958, Ser. No. 772,806 Claims priority, application Great Britain Nov. 13, 1957 16 Claims. (Cl. 9-11) It is usual for the central part of the flexible floor to provide a stowage for an emergency pack of survival requisites, such stowage being closed at opposite sides of the floor by means of watertight slide-fasteners so that its contents are readily accessible whichever way up the raft happens to be floating.

The two sides of the stowage are likewise usually provided with alternative sockets for a telescopic pole formed of light metal tubing and adapted to serve as the central support of a tentlike protective canopy of flexible material whose marginal portions are thereafter secured to the raft gunwale, with or without being first drawn over supplementary tubular metal poles erected upon. such gunwale to provide extra headroom for occupants seated with their backs to the latter.

The chief object of the present invention is to provide an improved form of canopy support, which will be at least as rigid and effective in use as the known telescopic pole, but will not involve the use of any separate metallic parts liable to become damaged or to puncture the flexible material of the raft or canopy.

A further object of the invention is to provide certain improvements in the canopy itself, which has hitherto usually been designed as a loose item adapted, after unstowing, to be draped over the central support and its periphery lashed to the gunwale at spaced positions.

According to this invention in a reversible life-raft of the type referred to having a protective canopy adapted for erection over the upper side thereof upon a central support, such support is represented by a tube of impermeable material which is inflatable, or has inflatable walls, and which is normally stowed in collapsed condition upon the raft floor, said floor having attached thereto either one such tube adapted for extension at its own or the opposite side of the raft as requisite, or alternatively a pair of such tubes oppositely disposed for selective use.

When a single tube is provided, the raft floor may have a normally sealed opening through which such tube can be drawn when necessary, and in the case of a double walled tube, a diaphragm closing the free end thereof may serve to seal the floor opening.

When a single canopy-supporting tube is used, the central portion of the raft floor may incorporate a stowage pocket provided, at opposite sides of such floor, with watertight or waterproofed closures of which only the upper one is releasable by an occupant of the raft to permit withdrawal and erection of the tube. The adjacent end of the latter may be anchored to the edge of the opening in the raft floor by means of a flexible flap which, if desired, may be defined, by the closure means for one wall of the stowage pocket aforesaid.

Alternatively, a single-walled tube may be provided with an annular apron at each end, the two aprons being securable in a watertight manner to opposite sides of the raft floor around the opening therein, so as collectively to form a stowage for the collapsed tube.

The canopy for association with the improved support aforesaid is preferably provided with a plurality of angularly-spaced openings which extend from its centre towards its periphery and are adapted to be closed in a weatherproof manner. Such openings may define a plurality of separate gores capable of being secured over, or to, the upper end of the erected support, a preferred arrangement being to fasten such ends to the tube by readily operable means beneath a protective annular apron on the latter.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a circular inflatable liferaft having means according to the present invention for supporting a canopy shown in partly erected condition,

FIGS. 2 and 3 are fragmentary sectional side elevations of the canopy-supporting tube appearing in FIG. 1, such tube being illustrated in the one case after initial extension, and in the other case after inflation,

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation of one form of stowage for the canopy-supporting tube, here shown with the double-walled tube of FIGS. 2 and 3 in erected condition,

FIG. 5 is a similar view of an alternative form of stowage suitable for a single-walled tube which is shown inflated,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a still further form of stowage also for a single-walled tube,

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation depicting the method of reversing a tube stowed as in FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation showing a single-walled tube in yet another form of stowage,

FIG. 9 is a part-sectional side elevation showing the tube of FIG. 8 in operative condition,

FIG. 10 is a sectional side elevation of a reversible life-raft provided with two canopy-supporting tubes for alternative use, and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a raft having a canopy similar to that shown in FIG. 1 but provided with modified closure means,

FIGS. 12 and'l3 are respectively a part-sectional side elevation and a plan view of a reversible life-raft embodying a still further modification of the invention,

FIG. 14 is a detail view showing a canopy-attachment means alternative to that shown in the preceding figures.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the improved canopy support consists of a double-walled tube 11 whose inner and outer skins 12, 13 are formed of rubberised fabric or the equivalent and are united at corresponding ends by internal taping 14, a fabric disc or rounder 15 having a concentric annular area thereof united to the exterior of one end of the tube 11, so as to form a closure for the latter, in addition to an annular apron 16 around it. A second annular apron 17 is similarly united to the interior of the same end of the tube 11, whose other extremity is hingedly secured (as by fabric rings 18) around the periphery of a central opening 19 in the raft floor 20 corresponding in diameter to the closure portion of the disc or rounder 15. Rings 18 constitute a diaphragm closing the free end of the tube and which seals the floor opening. Pull-cords 21 of suitable length are attached centrally to the latter closure at opposite sides thereof.

Normally the tube 11 will be collapsed concertina-wise or folded in zig-zag fashion so as to lie compactly adjacent to, or within, the opening 19 in the raft floor 20, which latter may itself be inflatable, independently of the superimposed peripheral chambers 22, to provide added 3" buoyancy and thermal insulation for the rafts occupants. As shown in FIG. 4 a stowage pocket for the collapsed tube 11 may be formed by uniting two sections of a short waterproof fabrio tube 23 to opp'osite'sides of the raft floor around the periphery of the opening 19 and providing, at each end of this tube 23, a hinge'dly attached cover 24 of similar material which is securable by a circumferential slide -fastener 25.

To unstow the tube 11 as prelim'nary to inflation thereof and to erection of the canopy 26, theoccupants of the raft merely release whichever cover 24 of the stowage happens to be uppermost and pull the tube 11 upwards by means of the available. cord 21, leaving the lower cover 24 in position. I I

Inflation means 27 provided with suitable non-return valves 28 are united to both skins of the tube It adjacent its attachment at 18 to the raft floor 20 so that, whichever way out the tube 11 may happen to be when erection of the canopy 26 is called for, one such inflation means will always be available for oral use or for connection to a manual inflator. 7

On full inflation of the tube 11s hollow wall (FIG. 3), the inner skin 12 thereof assumes a longitudinally corrugated form with the crests of the corrugations touching one; another immediately adjacent the axis of the tube, which thus, being seated upon the periphery of the floor opening 1? (assisted by the lower cover 24 of the t stowage pocket, if such is provided) formsa rigid central support for the canopy 26 subsequently to be erected.

In a convenient arrangement such canopy comprisesa plurality of (say, eight) generally triangular gores 2 9, which may be of single-skin construction or individuallyinflatable, correspondin g edges of these gores being secured end-to-end around the'gunwale of the raft, at the junction of its constituent tubes 22, and the free corners or apices thereof having hooks 39 whereby they may be secured to eyes 31 provided around the free end of the inflated tube 11 beneath the annular apron 16,-- a' further set of eyes (not shown) being ofcourse available beneath the second apron 17' for alternative use. a

In a case where the aprons 16, 17 are omitted, the apices of the gores 29 may be anchored by attachment one to another over the closed end of the tube 11.

Normally the canopygores 29 are stowed in rolled condition around the exterior of the raft and secured by press-buttoned straps 32 so as to be readily accessible for release whichever wayup the raft may be floating.

"The free edges of adjacent gores 29 are securable together by means of watertight or standard slide-fasteners 33 operablefrom either side or by press-studs, or lacing, or by means of loops and toggles. -When the gores are designed for inflation they may incorporate marginal tubes so that each gore will make windproof engagement with the next, and obviously, if desired, the inflation of the .tube 11 may be carried out or completed after the several gores have been secured together.

Two oppositely-disposed gores:29 may have closable openings (not shown) to' permit the ingress and egress of personnel, as well as ventilation, when the canopy is completely erected, but it will be understood that only certain of the gores may be erected if so desired and that these may be used as a parachute sail in conjunction with a drogue towed'from an opposite part of the raft.

In'the modified construction'shownin FIG. 5, the support for the canopy 26 takes the form of a single-walled inflatable tube 34 with one end anchored by means of a flexible fiap 35, to the edge of the floor opening 19 which is normally covered by patches 36 of impervious fabric secured around their peripheries to'the floor 20 and .collectivelyproviding a stowage pocket for the collapsed 'tube 34'.

ever way up the raft happens to be floating, release of the 4 upper fastener will permit the rolled or folded tube 34 to be withdrawn from the stowage pocket ready for in- It will be understood that this form of pocket may be "employed with a double-walled tube 11 having its open end hingedly secured around the periphery of the opening 19, and that equally a single-walled tube 34 may be flapmounted within such opening but housed in a stowage pocket constructed as in FIG. 4.

In an alternative stowage arrangement (see FIGS. 6

top of the floor 20' (to which it may be secured by a press-stud or like fastener 39) so that the tube 34, when inflated (as by means of a gas bottle 40 on the flap) stands at a position somewhat eccentric to the raft.

It should be understood that the sliders of the various fasteners aforesaid are so arranged as to be operable only from the exterior of the associated pocket. Such fa'stenersmay be inherently watertight, or alternatively they may be standard fasteners waterproofed in each case by means of an externally atlixedstrip 41 of impervious material which is provided with a rip-strip 42 (see FIG. 4).

. In the further modification illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, a single-walled tube 34 is constructed with hemispherical ends 43, adjacent each of which is secured a flexible annular apron 44 corresponding to the member 17 in FIGS; 2 and 3. r

In its normal collapsed condition, the tube 34 lies within the opening 19 in the raft floor 20 and the two aprons are secured to the latter by concentrically arranged slidefasteners 45. i

To erect the tube 34 (which may carry its own gas tbottle 46, as well as safety and topping-up valves 47, 48), the uppermost apron 44 is unfastened and after infiation of such tube, the apices of the canopy gores 29 are hooked to eyes 31 represented by nylon loops under the released apron 44.

there are two single-walled tubes 49 normally secured in collapsed condition to opposite sides of the raft floor 20 with the aid of straps 50. With such an arrangement the 11061 20 may carry a single gas bottle adapted to feed into either of the tubes 49 under the control of a twomovernent self-inflation mechanism to ensure that on flotation of the raft only the upper tube 49 will be inflated. 7

FIG. llshows an alternative arrangement of the canopy 26 in which each of the triangular gores 29 is securable to the next by means of two open-ended slide fasteners 51, 51a, in tandem, so that the occupants of the raft can release either fastener for purposes of ventilation or observation, whilst movement of thetwo sliders in opposite directions will quickly release the adjoined edges of the gores to provide a full-length emergency exit.

It will be noted that the parts .of the gores 29 immediately adjacent the raft gunwale 22 are permanently united at 52 .so that the canopy 2 6 will still retain a measore of weather-tightness even should all the fasteners 51, 51a give way. a V I It should be understood that additionalcanopy supports similar to, but smaller than, the one in the centre of the raft may be arranged atspaced positions around the periphery of the floor 20 to provide extra headroom under the adjacent parts of the canopy 26.

As an alternative to the arrangement just mentioned, the free-end of a reversible, single-walled central tube 53 (see FIGS. 12 and 13) may make a T joint with the cen- In yet another modified construction (see FIG. 10),

tral portion of a further tube 54 arranged diametrally of a ring tube 55, all these tubes intercommunicating with one another and the ring tube 55 having a plurality of dependent, mutually divergent stubs 56 which-abut against the upper peripheral chamber 22 of the raft to maintain the tubes 54, 55 in a plane substantially parallel thereto.

When the superimposed chambers 22 are built up of straight sections to a polygonal profile, the ring tube 55 may be similarly constructed but, of course, of smaller inflated diameter. For example, in the case of a 14-sided raft having an overall diameter of some 14 feet, the tubes 22 may be of 14 inches diameter, and the tubes 53, 54, 55, 56 of 6 inches diameter only, the ring tube 55 being of about 10 feet 4 inches overall diameter and being sup ported, at about 21 inches above the upper chamber 22, by the stubs 56 which may be seven in number and equally spaced around the profile of the tube 55.

With such an arrangement the erected canopy 57, instead of resembling a bell-tent, has a normally flat central portion which is permanently attached to thering tube 55 and a peripheral portion or skirt of frusto-conical or pyramidal form whose edges carry hooks 58 engageable with suitably disposed eyes 59 around the periphery of the upper chamber 22. To permit access to, or egress from, the interior of the raft, or to provide any desired degree of ventilation, a portion or portions of this canopy skirt may be raised and secured in rolled or folded condition to the exterior of the ring tube 55, as by means of pressstudded straps 69 or cord lashings.

Provision may be made for constraining the attached central portion of the canopy 57 to a concave form, so that it can be employed to collect rainwater in reasonably calm weather.

Each of the hooks 58 and eyes 59 associated with the canopy 57 may be replaced by the device shown in FIG. 14, in which a webbing strap 61 is permanently secured between corresponding exterior parts of the gunwale chambers 22 and carries a sewn-on ring 62, through which a cord 63 attached to the canopy edge is passed, drawn taut, and made fast to a rubber button 64 on the upper chamber 22.

FIG. 14 also illustrates a method of locating the free end of each stub 56 by engaging a snap-hook 65 thereon with a ring 66 on the chamber 22.

It will be understood that the straps 61 provide angularly-spaced hand-grips for survivors clinging to the raft, and that the arrangement just described may equally well be substituted for the hooks 30 and eyes 31 in the preceding constructions.

I claim:

1. A reversible life-raft of the type referred to and having a protective canopy adapted for erection over the upper side thereof upon a central support, comprising an inflatable annular body, a floor in the central part of said body, at least one tube of impermeable collapsible material having one end attached to said floor, said tube being inflatable, a pocket in said floor to which one end of said tube is attached and in which said tube is adapted to be stowed in collapsed position, means for obtaining access to said pocket from above and from below, and means for inflating said tube, whereby it may assume a position substantially transverse to said floor on either side of said floor, and a canopy having its central portion attached to the other end of said tube and its edges supported at said body.

2. A life-raft according to claim 1 and wherein said tube comprises a single reversible tube for supporting the canopy, further characterized in that said means for obtaining access to said pocket comprises a normally sealed opening through which such tube can be drawn when necessary.

3. A life-raft according to claim 2 and wherein the canopy-supporting tube has inflatable walls, further characterised in that the floor opening is sealed by a diaphragm closing the free end of the tube.

4. A life-raft according to claim 3, further characterised by pull-cords attached'to opposite sides of the diaphragm for use in erecting the tube in either direction.

5. A life-raft according to claim 2, further characterised in that said pocket is in the central portion of the raft floor said pocket is provided, at opposite sides of such floor, with watertight closures of which only the upper one is releasable by an occupant of the raft to permit withdrawal and erection of the tube.

6. A life-raft according to claim 5, further characterised in that the adjacent end of the reversible canopy-supporting tube is anchored to the edge of the floor by means of a flexible flap.

7. A life-raft according to claim 6, further characterised in that the flap aforesaid is defined by the closure means for one wall of the stowage pocket.

8. A life-raft according to claim 2 and wherein the canopy-supporting tube is singlewalled, further characterised in that such tube is provided with an annular apron at each end, the two aprons being securable in a watertight manner to opposite sides of the raft floor around the opening therein, so as collectively to form a stowage pocket for the collapsed tube.

9. A life-raft according to claim 1, further characterised in that the canopy has its periphery permanently attached to that of the raft and is divided into a number of petal-like gores whose free ends can be secured at the upper end of the tube to permit the fastening together of their juxtaposed longitudinal edges in a weatherproof man her.

10. A life-raft according to claim 9, further characterised in that the free ends of the gores are securable to the tube by fasteners.

11. A life-raft according to claim 9, further characterised in that the free ends of the gores are detachably secured to the central tube beneath a protective annual apron on the latter.

12. A life-raft according to claim 1, further characterised in that the free end of the central tube is T-jointed to the central portion of at least one tube extending diametrically of a ring tube provided with angularly spaced stubs adapted, on inflation of the whole tubular structure, to rest upon the periphery of the body.

13. A life-arft according to claim 12, further characterised in that the canopy is permanently secured to the profile of the ring tube and has a skirt portion attachable at its free edge to the periphery of the body or alternatively furlable against the periphery of'the ring tube, as and for the purpose described.

14. A life-raft according to claim 1 further characterized in that said tube is single walled.

15. A life-raft according to claim 1, further characterized in that said tube is double walled.

16. A reversible life-raft comprising an inflatable body, a fioor secured thereto, a pocket in said floor, means for obtaining access to said pocket from above and from below, an elongated impermeable collapsible tube having one end-thereof anchored in said pocket, said tube being inflatable to provide an upright, said tube when collapsed being adapted to be stowed in said pocket, said tube being extendible from either side of said floor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,297,150 Hunter Sept. 29, 1942 2,698,020 Phane Dec. 28, 1954 2,933,739 Miller et al Apr. 26, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 709,532 France May 18, 1931 793,984 Great Britain Apr. 23, 1958 636,776 Great Britain May 3, 1950 673,417 Great Britain June 4,1952 

